Search underway for Redding man last seen in Redwood Valley

Authorities are looking for a 55-year-old Redding man who went missing more than two weeks ago from Redwood Valley, where he was visiting family, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office and his niece, Jennifer Peters.

Thomas "Tom" Sierra was last seen Jan. 27 wearing a long-sleeved, purple shirt, jeans and a black hooded jacket. He was reportedly sitting with a Caucasian man at the Mendocino Transit Authority bus stop near Little Bakers Market on East Road in Redwood Valley, according to Peters.

Sierra walked to the market at about 8:30 a.m. that morning and hasn't been seen or heard from since, according to Peters.

"It looks like he was on a pass from a rehab placement," MCSO spokesman Lt. Greg Van Patten said. "He was supposed to return Feb. 3."

Van Patten said it appears Sierra was "maybe voluntarily missing," and that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

Sierra is described as a Native American and Hispanic man between 5 feet, 7 inches and 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing between 180 and 200 pounds, having black hair with light gray in it, brown eyes and brown skin with a tattoo on his neck and another on his forearm.

Peters said he disappeared three or four days into a planned two-week visit with family. His clothes were still at the house, she said, and his family reported him missing Jan. 29. Fliers have been posted in Ukiah and Redwood Valley, according to Peters.

Anyone who has seen Sierra or has information on his whereabouts is urged to call the Sheriff's Office at 463-4086, or Peters at 472-1774.

Tiffany Revelle can be reached at udjtr@ukiahdj.com, on Twitter @TiffanyRevelle or at 468-3523.